Roles of field level agricultural extension workers in Nepal as perceived by agricultural extension personnel

As field level agricultural extension workers in Nepal, Junior Technical Assistants (JTAs) have various roles to perform. However, the roles expected of them are not clear and specific;A study was conducted to determine the demographic characteristics of extension personnel, to determine if significant differences existed in the perceptions of various groups of extension personnel for the importance of JTAs' roles and the performance of those roles, and to determine if significant differences existed between the importance and performance of JTAs' roles as perceived by each group of extension personnel. Seven hypotheses were developed and tested in line with the objectives of the study;An instrument was specifically developed to collect data from 215 JTAs at the field level, 75 Agricultural Development Officers (ADOs) at the supervisory level, and 18 administrators at the top policy making level;The results of the study indicated that a large majority of JTAs were below 35 years of age, and more than 50% had only a high school education. The results also indicated that the most important tasks were not the best performed tasks, or the best performed tasks were not the most important tasks;Significant differences were observed in the perceptions of JTAs, ADOs, and administrators and also in the perceptions of JTAs and ADOs in the two geographic regions for the importance of JTAs' roles and the performance of those roles. Significant differences were also observed in the perceptions of JTAs in the five developmental regions for the importance of roles, but not for the performance of roles;Highly significant differences were observed between the importance of JTAs' roles and the performance of those roles as perceived by each group of extension personnel. The perceptions for performance were at a significantly lower level than the perceptions for importance;Extension personnel, particularly JTAs, suggested that inservice training for JTAs be instituted, farm inputs and teaching materials be adequately and timely supplied, and housing and office facilities be given to JTAs;Recommendations were made for the specific roles of JTAs and effective performance of those roles.